Laws and policies against MSM and HIV control in Africa

Abstract

In 2021, 38·4 million people were living with HIV globally, two-thirds of whom were living in sub-Saharan Africa, placing Africa at the centre of the HIV pandemic. Reducing the burden of HIV infection is not only essential in the general population, but particularly in populations at high risk of acquiring HIV. Recent evidence has suggested suboptimal achievement of HIV cascade care in Africa, particularly among the key population of men who have sex with men (MSM). A recent systematic review and meta-analysis1 reported that 67·3% of MSM had ever been tested for HIV, 18·5% were aware of their HIV-positive status, 23·7% of HIV-positive MSM were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and only 24·7% of those taking ART had viral suppression.